RME - ADI 2 DAC FS

Functions

It must be said that the device is quite complex in terms of settings. The features are described using technical jargon that is more comprehensible to professionals in the field of audio than to amateurs. This means that adjusting settings for those unfamiliar with the device often results in either consulting the user manual or making adjustments by ear (i.e., changing settings and listening to determine if there is an improvement or not). Returning to the core functions, the DAC is equipped with an advanced clock known as Steady-Clock FS, which ensures excellent performance in all conversion modes with low jitter. The improved SteadyClock FS reduces self-noise to minimal levels by enhancing the second analog PLL circuit, resulting in decreased phase noise. The device not only provides a professional digital audio interface but also includes the free software tool DigiCheck, which is primarily used for measuring, testing, and analyzing digital audio streams. The ADI 2 DAC FS features two headphone outputs: one large jack for standard headphones (PHONES) and one smaller jack for in-ear monitors (IEM). Both headphone outputs have independent settings in the DAC's menu, which can be saved in the device's memory. The same applies to all rear-panel outputs. This is a highly useful feature because, with two pairs of headphones (one with higher impedance and one with lower impedance), you can independently adjust both outputs to avoid damaging headphones that are connected to a higher amplifier gain. Additionally, you can assign all DSP settings to individual outputs so that each is appropriately adjusted for its connected device.

The display is color, and while not large, it is quite readable and customizable in terms of color settings. RME, with updates to the main DSP chip based on the highly regarded Xilinx SPARTAN 6 audio processor, continually enhances and adds features to the main menu. Therefore, I will not specify the available colors as they may change with future device firmware updates.

When comparing the ADI 2 DAC FS directly with top-tier devices in this category, such as the highly acclaimed CHORD-QUTEST, also based on a Xilinx DSP, we can observe differences such as the expanded on-screen menu navigated using three multifunctional rotary encoders, as well as the included remote control. The volume knob on the RME allows it to function as a preamplifier with an integrated DAC, and the aforementioned remote control provides remote operation capabilities for this preamplifier.